With such words as these day by day, both the woman was importunate with the young man, and he refused the adultery.
וַיְהִ֕י כְּדַבְּרָ֥הּ אֶל־יוֹסֵ֖ף י֣וֹם ׀ י֑וֹם וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֥ע אֵלֶ֛יהָ לִשְׁכַּ֥ב אֶצְלָ֖הּ לִהְי֥וֹת עִמָּֽהּ׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
To fully grasp the remarkable virtue of this upright individual, it is essential to recognize that he faced this conflict not just a few times, but repeatedly. He endured various verbal challenges and continued to offer encouragement. As the sacred text states, "When thus she daily spoke to Joseph, and he did not obey her."
Upon realizing that her numerous adornments were ineffective in swaying the upright man, she grew increasingly passionate and pondered deeply, struggling to conceive another approach to capture his attention.
The woman longs for the young man, yet she cannot ignite his desire. She pleads with him, but he flees from her. The one who typically issues commands is now the one imploring him. Perhaps she was fond of him, or more accurately, enamored with herself? I believe the answer is neither. If she truly cared for him, why would she seek his demise? If her love was for herself, why would she aspire to harm her own being? It’s clear that her affection was absent; her heart was consumed by the venom of desire, yet it lacked the warmth of genuine love. Conversely, he could see what she failed to perceive. Joseph was more stunning within than he was outwardly (cf. Gen. 39:6), more radiant in the purity of his spirit than in the physical allure of his appearance.
Where the woman's gaze could not penetrate, he found his true beauty. Thus, recognizing the inner splendor of purity reflected in his conscience, how could he stumble or yield to her temptation? You, too, can perceive what he saw if you so choose—the inner and spiritual magnificence of chastity, if only you have the sight for it. Consider this illustration: you cherish this quality in your wife, so do not despise in another man's spouse what you honor in your own. What do you value in your wife? Most certainly, it is her chastity. However, you disdain that same quality in another’s wife if you aim to undermine her virtue through seduction. What you treasure in your own spouse, you attempt to extinguish in someone else’s. How can you approach prayer with sincerity, you who assail chastity? Therefore, safeguard within another man’s wife what you cherish in your own, for your true love for her lies in her purity more than in her physical form.
She listens solely to the call of desire: Joseph’s words have drifted past her as hollow echoes, devoid of understanding or importance. Occasionally, the wife reiterates the offer, consistently with the same unabashed, burning defiance.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS